Nearly half of consumers want ban on ticket re-selling sites

Online touts are to face unlimited fines as part of a crackdown on resale websites.

Many live music fans want ticket resale sites banned (Yui Mok/PA)

Almost half of consumers believe that ticket re-selling sites should be banned, according to a survey.

The YouGov poll found that 51% of the public do not believe the current system of ticket buying and distribution is working and that the Government should intervene, and 48% believe re-selling sites should be banned altogether.

However, 18% said that the system does work, and that high prices simply reflect demand.

Ed Sheeran performs at Rockefeller Plaza in New York (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) — Ed Sheeran has spoken out against resale websites (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

The report revealed an acceptance among the ticket-buying public that the secondary market “will always exist”, with almost half (47%) agreeing that illegal touting would grow if there was a cap on how much tickets could be sold for.

It found one in ten consumers (10%) have used a ticket re-selling site, while 89% have not.

Among users of the sites, just 16% bought tickets at face value, while 22% purchased them for less than their original worth.

However 34% purchased tickets that were more than face value while one in seven (14%) bought tickets for at least double the face value.

Mumford and Sons headline the main stage at the Radio One big weekend at Powderham Castle — Mumford and Sons have urged fans not to use the sites (Ben Birchall/PA)

YouGov profiling data suggests that those using ticket reselling sites are most likely to be male and aged 18 to 34, and “tend to make impulsive purchases”.

Oliver Griffiths, of YouGov Reports, said: “For many fans, the chance to see their favourite music artist or sports idol is one they are willing to go to great lengths to achieve – and this can often mean paying inflated prices to do so.

“However, ticket re-selling sites have increasingly been in the headlines, with the principles of those sites under the microscope.

“Our research points to a significant proportion of people that are uncomfortable with the current state of affairs but whether steps are taken in future to limit their capabilities remains to be seen.”

Thom Yorke from Radiohead performs on the main stage at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow. — Radiohead encouraged fans to not use secondary platforms (Andrew Milligan/PA)

A number of artists including Ed Sheeran, Mumford And Sons, Radiohead and Amy Macdonald have encouraged music lovers to stop using secondary platforms Viagogo, Get Me In!, Stubhub and Seatwave.

Earlier this year the Government revealed online touts are to face unlimited fines as part of a crackdown on resale websites.

:: YouGov interviewed 1,081 British adults between April 7-11.